English Vocabulary · Grade 8 Live Review Preview

8th Grade Vocabulary Words

Eighth-grade readers move toward high-school-level analysis across literature, argument, research, physical and life science, algebra, economics, history, and civics. This level strengthens precise Tier II and cross-curricular vocabulary while emphasizing context, analogy, word relationships, Greek and Latin roots, multiple meanings, source judgment, and evidence-based communication.

This independently authored 500-word beta curriculum is arranged in twenty pages of twenty-five words each. Words 1–300 include five cloze questions per page; words 301–500 remain fully visible and editable as list pages while the expanded practice layer is developed. Each row includes a subject-field label and an editable word-study note about a transparent affix, compound structure, capitalization, or dictionary base form. The cited Grade 8 resources calibrate difficulty and vocabulary-study skills only; all learner-facing definitions, examples, quizzes, and descriptions are original KSSR copy.

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Words 226–250 of 500
#	Word	Details	Meaning	Sample sentence
226	alkalinity	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.	the ability of a substance or solution to neutralize acids	Limestone can increase a lake's alkalinity.
227	oxidation	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	a chemical process in which a substance loses electrons, often involving oxygen	Rust forms through oxidation of iron.
228	reduction	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -tion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	a chemical process in which a substance gains electrons	During reduction, copper ions gain electrons and become copper atoms.
229	combustion	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -tion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	a rapid chemical reaction with oxygen that releases heat and often light	Complete combustion of the fuel produces carbon dioxide and water.
230	endothermic	adjective Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: endothermic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	describing a process that absorbs heat from its surroundings	The endothermic reaction made the container feel cold.
231	exothermic	adjective Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: exothermic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	describing a process that releases heat to its surroundings	The exothermic reaction warmed the solution.
232	cell-membrane	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Term structure: cell + membrane. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.	the thin boundary that controls what enters and leaves a cell	The cell-membrane allows some substances to pass while blocking others.
233	mitochondrion	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: mitochondrion is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a cell structure that releases usable energy from food	A muscle cell contains many mitochondria, and each mitochondrion helps supply energy.
234	chloroplast	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: chloroplast is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a plant-cell structure where photosynthesis occurs	Chlorophyll inside each chloroplast absorbs light.
235	ribosome	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: ribosome is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a cell structure that assembles proteins	A ribosome links amino acids in the order specified by genetic instructions.
236	genotype	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: genotype is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	an organism's particular combination of genetic information	The plant's genotype includes one allele for tall growth and one for short growth.
237	phenotype	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: phenotype is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	an organism's observable traits produced by genes and environment	Sunlight can influence the color phenotype of some plants.
238	meiosis	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: meiosis is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	cell division that produces reproductive cells with half the usual chromosomes	Meiosis creates genetic variation in eggs and sperm.
239	mitosis	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: mitosis is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	cell division that produces two genetically similar body cells	Skin cells multiply through mitosis as a cut heals.
240	natural-selection	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Term structure: natural + selection. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.	the process by which inherited traits that aid survival or reproduction become more common	Natural-selection favored moths whose coloring hid them from predators.
241	speciation	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	the evolutionary formation of one or more new species	Long isolation on separate islands can lead to speciation.
242	transcription	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -tion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	the cellular process of copying information from DNA into RNA	During transcription, a cell produces an RNA copy of a gene.
243	succession	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -sion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	the gradual change in an ecological community over time	After the lava cools, ecological succession begins with lichens.
244	hormone	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: hormone is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a chemical messenger that regulates activity in cells or organs	The hormone insulin helps regulate blood glucose.
245	antibiotic	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Prefix focus: anti- means against or opposed to.	a medicine that kills bacteria or slows their growth	A doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for a confirmed bacterial infection.
246	tectonic-plate	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Term structure: tectonic + plate. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.	a large moving section of Earth's rigid outer layer	The Pacific tectonic-plate meets several other plates along active boundaries.
247	codon	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Base-form focus: codon is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a three-nucleotide sequence that specifies an amino acid or a stop signal	Each codon in messenger RNA directs one step in protein assembly.
248	subduction	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Suffix focus: -tion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	the process in which one tectonic plate sinks beneath another	Subduction can produce deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs.
249	convection-current	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Term structure: convection + current. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.	circulating movement caused when warmer material rises and cooler material sinks	A convection-current forms in the heated water.
250	fault-line	noun Study Field: Grade 8 science and technology word Word study: Term structure: fault + line. Study the complete expression as one field-specific unit.	a fracture in Earth's crust along which rocks have moved	The earthquake began near a mapped fault-line.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Evidence of Change

Reading practice for pages 10–12. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

During transcription, a cell copies genetic information into RNA. Over generations, natural-selection can favor useful variations, and isolated populations may undergo speciation. These biological processes differ from combustion, a chemical reaction involving oxygen, and from a simple reduction in population size.

Reading comprehension

1. What happens during transcription?

Genetic information is copied into RNA.

2. What may happen to isolated populations?

They may undergo speciation.

3. Is combustion a biological process?

No, combustion is a chemical reaction.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. ___ favored moths whose coloring hid them from predators.

Answer: natural-selection

2. During ___, copper ions gain electrons and become copper atoms.

Answer: reduction

3. Long isolation on separate islands can lead to ___.

Answer: speciation

4. Complete ___ of the fuel produces carbon dioxide and water.

Answer: combustion

5. During ___, a cell produces an RNA copy of a gene.

Answer: transcription

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Sources and curriculum references

These references guide selection and calibration. Definitions, sample sentences, readings, questions, and teaching notes are independently written and reviewed.

8th Grade Vocabulary Words

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